Did Christmas Really Happen?

Friday 20th December

This Christmas many people will send cards with pictures of stables, sing songs about Bethlehem and perform plays about Mary and Joseph. Perhaps members of your family will be among them?

However, surveys show that around 50% of the population of Britain doubt the truth of the Christmas story. Disturbingly, a quarter of those who call themselves Christians do not believe the story is accurate.

So this Christmas, we’re trying to help people move beyond the myths and discover the truth behind the traditions.

Unwrapping the Myths of Christmas: For Christmas 2024, we’ve released an 11-part video series that takes well-known Christmas legends and stories and uncovers the surprising historical truths behind them. Each short episode challenges popular misconceptions and reveals the deeper, often forgotten narratives that have shaped Christmas.

And, if you’d like to delve deeper into the truth of the Christmas story, here’s three more resources I’d recommend:

• Why are Jesus’ Birth Stories Different?: This is a great article from Peter J. Williams at Tyndale House, Cambridge explaining why there are differences in the accounts of Jesus’ birth.
• Is Christmas Unbelievable? by Rebecca McLaughlin: This book gives a really clear and concise explanation of the historical evidence behind the story we know so well.
• Hidden Christmas by Tim Keller: Less about history and more about meaning, this is a great book to encourage you or to give to a friend this Christmas.

I hope these resources help you see Christmas through fresh eyes and inspire you to share the truth behind its traditions with others – rejoicing in the Good News that changed the world.